A new home I was never expecting!! Past Review
By Abby (Lakeland University) - abroad from 12/26/2019 to 01/11/2020 with
Mexico Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Other people in the world may look different from you or speak a completely different language. However, if you go out and meet them, talk with them, and eat with them, you find out that we're really not all that different from each other.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teachers really pushed an engaging classroom experience yet made everyone feel comfortable as if they were teachers the students had known for years. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were quick to respond and clear any confusion about the academic side of the program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The Host Family does the best job of making the experience comfortable for the students, making the foreign country feel like a home away from home. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The planning was easy to complete. The program directors work directly with you to ensure the safest and most stress-free experience |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | In US dollars, around $200-$250 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced to Fluent Application of the Language |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Don't be afraid to look or sound silly when practicing the new language. Members of the team and the host family understand that it's a difficult task and are more than excited to help you out. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be more confident in your abilities, whether it's planning, speaking, or social. If you over evaluate yourself on the trip, you'll limit your experience extremely. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
